The Puffer Forum

hi all...
this is the first time I write in this forum...and I don't known if I'm able to explain my problem with my English...
any way...I have a little puffer(tatraodon nigroviridis),I buy it in a shop,they told me it was usual to live in freshwater...but when I put the fish in freshwater it had a lot of problems....dark stomach,bed eyes and colours,tail close...so I put sea salt in water(25 tea-spoon in 90 liter of water..in 7 day) and a bio-conditioner....then the fish was ok....
...Now I see between the eyes an area without skin(like abrasion)...and in this area there are some black micro points..but the puffer is very very active...swim a lot... eat etc....I want to ask what are this problem...

Sorry for my English...I hope you understand my problem....thanks

Your English is certainly good enough to understand you. Where are you from?

Start by reading this article: http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... togsp.html

How was the tank cycled? Eventually you will need a larger tank for your puffer (around 115 liters). Do they sell a product called Melafix (a natural product made with tea tree oil)?

This puffer starts off as brackish then moves to saltwater as it becumes older. You are meant to do this process gradually, not all in one go. You are meant to do it over the course of weeks.

Considering it's about a 23g tank, 25 teaspoons is niothing.

so you think I had put too much salt...?...Is this the problem?

I acted in this way because the fish was in very difficlt situation...and had also itchio...and I think if it staied in freshwater it died

What I was saying is that the amount of salt you added will not make very much difference. You need to get a hydrometer to measure the salt & raise the specific gravity .002/week. Are you sure your fish has ich? Often, their tiny spines are mistaken for that.

Did you read the article I linked you to?

no..I don't read the article...now I read it....but you don't have idea what is the problem of abrasion in head?

Could have bumped himself on something. Did you call around to see if any shops carry Melafix?

Sounds like a bite or heater burn. I would treat it with melafix (natural medication) found at any local fish store.

Is Melafix available outside the US?

I can get it up here in the great white north(Canada). I'm pretty sure it can be found in the UK also. Australia and I'm pretty sure NZ also can buy it. Not sure about the rest of Europe or Asia(especially) however.

If you can't find it the best bet would be to search it on a mail order store.